Mount Grace State Forest
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Fire Tower Summit — 1,617-acre forest with a restored fire tower offering 360° views of the North Quabbin highlands
Mount Grace State Forest covers 1,617 acres in Warwick and preserves the summit of Mount Grace (1,621 feet), topped with a restored fire tower. The 360-degree views from the tower encompass the entire North Quabbin region — one of Massachusetts’ wildest and least populated areas. Mount Grace is named for Grace, a daughter of Metacom (King Philip), the Wampanoag leader whose 1675–1676 war was the bloodiest per capita in American history.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Warwick, Franklin County, MA |
| Size | 1,617 acres |
| Elevation | 1,621 feet + fire tower |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Name | Named for King Philip’s daughter! |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I climb the fire tower?
Yes! The restored fire tower is open to hikers. The hike to the summit is moderate (about 1.5 miles one way). The North Quabbin views are spectacular — especially during fall foliage season.
About Mount Grace
Mount Grace State Forest in Warwick covers over 1,600 acres of northern hardwood forest around 1,617-foot Mount Grace — a prominent peak in north-central Massachusetts. The summit fire tower (open to the public) offers sweeping views of the Green Mountains, Mount Monadnock, and the Connecticut River valley. The forest is part of one of the largest unfragmented forest blocks in Massachusetts.
Things to Do
Hiking to the fire tower summit (moderate 1.5-mile trail), camping, hunting (seasonal), mountain biking, and snowmobiling. The fire tower views are among the finest in central Massachusetts.
Insider Tips
Fire tower views: Mount Grace (1,617 ft) has a historic fire tower on its summit — climb it for 360° views of the North Quabbin region. Pro tip: Massachusetts has several historic fire towers open to the public — relics of the early 20th century when tower watchers were the primary defense against forest fires. North Quabbin: The surrounding region is one of the most rural and forested areas in Massachusetts.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Fire tower views of foliage. Summer: Cool mountaintop breezes. Spring: Wildflowers on the trail. Winter: Snowshoeing to the summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fire towers still used?
Most fire towers were decommissioned as aerial surveillance and satellite technology replaced tower watchers. However, many are preserved as historic structures and hiking destinations. Massachusetts maintains several accessible towers — they offer some of the best views in the state. A few towers are still staffed during high fire danger periods.
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